Where to Make AI Podcasts for Free (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Last checked: October 2026.

A podcast is one of the most personal ways to reach people, but recording, editing and publishing every week takes real time. That's why so many business owners, teachers and creators look for an AI podcast generator. Some tools turn a document or article into a spoken conversation between AI hosts. Others help you record and edit your own voice faster.

Free in this category usually means a monthly allowance of credits or minutes, a one-off batch of credits when you sign up, or a short trial. Free plans also tend to limit downloads, add a watermark or restrict commercial use, so check what you're allowed to do with the finished audio.

The list mixes household names with smaller, independent tools, and every description comes from each tool's own website. If you're starting from scratch, my step-by-step guide to starting a podcast covers the basics first.

AI podcast tools compared at a glance

The Free plan column reflects what each tool's own site says. Yes means an ongoing free plan or free use with limits. Trial only means a free trial with no lasting free plan. Allowances change often, so please can you check the current terms on the tool's site before you plan a series around it.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Adobe Podcast	Audio clean-up and recording	Making home recordings sound clearer	Yes
Alitu	Podcast maker	Recording, tidying and publishing a show	Trial only
Async	Recording, editing and hosting	Recording, AI voices and publishing episodes	Yes
Descript	Text-based audio and video editor	Editing episodes by editing the transcript	Yes
ElevenLabs	AI voice and audio studio	Natural AI voices for narrated or two-host episodes	Yes
Jellypod	Docs-to-podcast generator	Turning a topic or PDF into an episode	Yes
NotebookLM	AI research notebook	Audio summaries of your own documents	Yes
Riverside	Remote recording studio	Recording guests remotely, then trimming with AI	Yes
Superlore	Audio briefing tool	Private audio briefings from saved sources	Yes
Wondercraft	AI podcast generator	Producing a full episode from a script or document	Yes

Ten tools for making podcasts with AI, in no particular order

They're listed alphabetically and in no particular order. Read the Best for line and shortlist the two that match how you want to make your show.

Adobe Podcast

Best for: Podcasters recording at home who want voices cleaned up and evened out without learning audio software.

Alitu

Best for: Solo podcasters who want recording, automatic clean-up, editing and show notes handled in one simple place.

Async

Best for: Creators who want to record, clean up and publish a podcast from one account, with AI voices available.

Descript

Best for: Anyone who finds audio editing fiddly and would rather cut an episode by deleting words from a transcript.

ElevenLabs

Best for: Creators who want lifelike AI narration or a two-voice conversation built from an article or document.

Jellypod

Best for: Business owners who want to turn a report, slide deck or article into a short podcast episode with AI hosts.

NotebookLM

Best for: People who learn by listening and want their own notes, reports or reading turned into a two-host audio discussion.

Riverside

Best for: Interview shows that record guests online and want quick clips and editing help after the call.

Superlore

Best for: Busy readers who want articles and sources they've saved turned into short audio briefings in a private feed.

Wondercraft

Best for: Marketers and creators who want AI voices, music and editing to turn a script or document into a finished episode.

Do you want AI hosts or your own voice?

This is the first decision, and it changes which kind of tool you need.

• AI hosts from a document: you upload a report, article or notes and the tool writes and voices a conversation. It's quick and good for internal training, summaries and learning on the go.
• Your voice, edited with AI: you record yourself, and AI removes background noise, filler words and long pauses. Listeners hear you, which builds trust.
• A mix of both: you record the main episode and use an AI voice for intros, ads for your own products or translated versions.

For a show that builds your personal brand, your own voice usually works better. For summaries and internal updates, AI hosts can save hours. If you're unsure what a podcast needs to include, my explainer on what a podcast is and how it works will help.

Is voice cloning allowed, and what about consent?

Voice cloning means training an AI voice on a recording of a real person. It's powerful, and it needs care.

• Only clone your own voice, or a voice whose owner has given you clear permission for that specific use.
• Some tools ask the speaker to read a verification phrase out loud before a clone is created. Expect that and don't try to get around it.
• Never clone a guest, a client or a well-known person without written permission, even for a joke or a trailer.
• Tell listeners when a voice in an episode is AI-generated. It's honest, and it protects your reputation.
• Keep a copy of any permission you've been given, with the date and what it covers.

If you're comparing synthetic voices for narration, my roundups of free AI voiceover tools and AI voice changers go into more detail.

How do you turn a document into a podcast episode?

1. Choose one clear source, such as a blog post, a report or a set of meeting notes. Mixed sources make muddled episodes.
2. Remove anything private or confidential before you upload it.
3. Add a short instruction about the audience and length, for example a ten-minute chat for small business owners.
4. Generate the episode and listen all the way through, checking every fact against your source.
5. Edit out anything wrong or off-brand, add your own intro and outro, then export the audio.

What should you check before publishing AI-made audio?

• Accuracy: AI hosts can misread numbers, names and context. Listen with your source open next to you.
• Usage rights: some free plans are for personal use only, so check before you publish to a podcast directory.
• Downloads and distribution: confirm you can export the file, or publish to the podcast apps you need.
• Sound quality: play it on phone speakers and headphones. What sounds fine on a laptop can be harsh in earbuds.
• Your voice and style: make sure the script sounds like you and your business, not a generic summary.

Do you make an AI podcast generator or a podcast production tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Getting your first episode out

Start small. Pick one tool for creating the audio and, if you need it, one for cleaning it up. Make a short pilot episode, share it with a few people you trust and ask what they'd change. Once the workflow feels easy, you'll find it much simpler to publish regularly.

Frequently asked questions

What is an AI podcast generator?

It's a tool that uses AI to create podcast audio. Some write and voice a conversation from your documents, while others help you record, clean up and edit your own voice. Many do a bit of both.

Can I make a podcast with AI for free?

Yes. Several tools on this page have a free plan or free credits that are enough for a short episode or two. Expect limits on minutes, downloads or commercial use, and check each plan's terms.

Is it legal to clone someone's voice for a podcast?

Only with their clear permission, and many tools require the speaker to verify consent before a clone is made. Cloning your own voice is the safest option. Rules differ by country, so get advice if you're unsure.

Will listeners know a podcast was made with AI?

Some will. AI hosts can sound natural, but listeners often notice repeated phrases or odd pauses. Being upfront that a voice is AI-generated keeps their trust.

Can I publish an AI-made podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts?

Often, yes, as long as your plan's terms allow it and you host the episode with a podcast host that sends it to those apps. Some free plans don't include distribution, so check before you record.